optical zoom of nik d3000

[sudarsansframe]

what is the optical zoom of nikon d3000? how many x?

[kuvahmagh]

The D3000 has no built in lens so the zoom will be decided by the lens you put on it.

It is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) Camera that uses Nikon's F Mount of interchangeable lenses.

[zetson]

To find the zoom ratio on a zoom lens, f.ex. the 18-55mm, which is a popular kit lens, you divide the longest focal length with the shortest. An 18-55mm has 55/18 = 2,7x zoom ratio.

A large zoom ratio doesn't necessarily mean that you can get close on far-away subjects. It only indicates the relation between the longest and the shortest focal length.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by zetson

you divide the longest focal length with the shortest.

Correct, but it's a REALLY stupid and useless way of gauging a zoom lens. A 15x zoom lens (18-270mm) will NEVER be as [optically] good as a 24-70 f/2.8 (2.9x) or a 70-200 f/2.8 (2.8x) or a 14-24mm f/2.8 (1.7x). It's just another piece of marketing BS.

Also, you can have a 5x zoom lens in different ranges, say, 100-500mm or 24-120mm, and they'll serve VASTLY different purposes, but have the same zoom factor.

[Shokinen]

I agree with Almond, this X scale was created for people in general but doesn't gives you much information about the view angle / distortion. And this is important when you want to start creating images instead of relying on your camera to do it.

Point and Shoot sellers are not advertising the focal lenght very much because it's not a concept you can catch in 5 min. If you want to compare, it has to be apples vs apples. Most P&S has the optical information writen on the front of the lens. You also have to multiply it by the sensor size (another thing they are not advertising). Then we can start talking

Point and Shoot cannot switch lens so this X scale concept is an easy way to advertise the focal lenght ratio. But SLRs are different and this is why we love them. a 10-24mm is very different that a 70-300mm.

If we want to be picky, a zoom in reality is a lens that you change the focal lenght. Otherwise we call it a prime and you have to physically move to get your subject closer.

Having that said, let's get back on the important stuff. Are you interested in buying a D3000 ? Tell us a bit more information on the type of picture you want to take. There is many knowledgable people here that can help.

[zetson]

Zoom ratios made my life simple in the beginning. I think I bought my Canon S2 IS solely because it had a 12x zoom lens. It seems that IQ wasn't a question back then. I didn't even know what the millimeters meant.